West Ham United welcome Manchester United to the London Stadium on Sunday night. The Red Devils will be a tad weary after playing their first Europa League match on Thursday and the squad strength of the team will be tested, especially with injuries to key players.
The Hammers will feel that this is their best chance to defeat the Red Devils at home and leapfrog them in the table as both teams are on 8 points after 5 matches.
Let’s take a look at 3 key battles in the game between West Ham United and Manchester United:
Sébastien Haller vs Victor Lindelof
West Ham United’s summer signing Sébastien Haller has had a promising start to life in the Premier League, scoring three goals in four games for his new club and will be a threat to the United backline.
Haller is very good in the air, having won an average of 6.3 headers in the league so far and could trouble Victor Lindelof, who hasn’t look commanding in the air (3.6 aerials on average won this season). The Hammers striker could very well position himself in and around Lindelof and try to get flick-ons for his teammates.
Daniel James vs Ryan Fredericks
Daniel James is a doubt for Manchester United for the game against West Ham but we feel he will be passed fit to feature in time. Mason Greenwood has not been included in the squad which leaves Marcus Rashford as the lone option up front, which increases James’ chances of starting.
The new signing will be up against Ryan Fredericks who will have the daunting task of marking the fleet-footed attacker throughout the 90 minutes.
Felipe Anderson vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Another key battle to look out for will be West Ham winger Felipe Anderson against Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has also had a good start to the season.
Anderson is a player who likes to dribble with the ball and put in menacing crosses, while Wan-Bissaka is quick to close opposition players down and dispossess them. The Brazilian will perhaps face his sternest test of the season and Pellegrini will bank on him to provide the service for Haller.